curb

1 of 2

noun

ˈkərb 

plural curbs

1

a

or British kerb : an edging (as of concrete) built along a street to form part of a gutter

They sat on the curb eating their ice cream.

see also kick to the curb

b

[from the fact that it originally transacted its business on the street] : a market for trading in securities not listed on a stock exchange

c

: a raised edge or margin to strengthen or confine

d

: an enclosing frame, border, or edging

2

a

: check, restraint

a price curb

government policies that are designed to put a curb on spending

b

: a bit that exerts severe pressure on a horse's jaws

also : the chain or strap attached to it see bit illustration

curb

2 of 2

verb

curbed; curbing; curbs

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with a curb

2

: to check or control with or as if with a curb

trying to curb her curiosity

3

: to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (such as a gutter) for defecation

Synonyms

Noun

• restriction
• constraint
• limitation

Verb

• regulate
• control
• restrain
• contain
• keep
• measure
• stifle
• suppress

Choose the Right Synonym for curb

restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back from or control in doing something.

restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Examples of curb in a Sentence

Noun

We sat on the curb eating our ice cream.

these international regulations act as a curb on the plundering of a nation's archaeological treasures

Verb

The legislation is intended to curb price and wage increases.

pills designed to curb your appetite

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Nico Garcia was thrown from his electric bike by the impact and slammed his head on the curb. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025

Another handcuffed on the curb outside a Ross clothing store in Bell Gardens. —Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025

Verb

Iran's envoy to the United Nations has said that the treaty serving as the linchpin for curbing the spread of nuclear weapons has been used to spark conflict rather than promote peace following strikes from the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic. —Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025

The Ten Thousand Camel Festival was launched by the Amazing Gobi Tourism Association in 1997 as a way to curb the rapidly declining population by promoting camel products and experiences. —Matt Dutile, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French courbe curve, curved piece of wood or iron, from courbe curved, from Latin curvus

Verb

derivative of curb entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing curb

• curb appeal
• curb cut
• curb ramp
• curb service
• curb weight
• kick to the curb

Rhymes for curb

• blurb
• erb
• herb
• kerb
• serb
• verb
• disturb
• perturb
• reverb
• superb

Kids Definition

curb

1 of 2 noun

ˈkərb 

1

: a chain or strap on a horse's bit used to control the horse by pressing against the lower jaw

2

: check entry 1 sense 3

price curbs

3

: an enclosing border (as of stone or concrete) often along the edge of a street

curb

2 of 2 verb

1

: to control by or furnish with or as if with a curb

legislation to curb price and wage increases

curb your appetite

2

: to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (as a gutter) for defecation

Medical Definition

curb

noun

ˈkərb 

: a swelling on the back of the hind leg of a horse just behind the lowest part of the hock joint that is due to strain or rupture of the ligament and generally causes lameness